January 25, 2006

In about 24 hours, the Case Western Reserve University community raised $6,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina who relocated to the Cleveland area, as well as other needy families in Northeast Ohio.

The proceeds were raised at the Staff Advisory Council's (SAC) annual Basket Raffle. SAC's Community Service Committee, which sponsor's the raffle, presented a check to the Northeast Ohio Division of the Salvation Army on January 6.

"We decided to partner with the Salvation Army after Hurricane Katrina. We were looking for an organization working with those who were affected in Northeast Ohio. Half of the funds will go to Hurricane Katrina victims [now residing] in Northeast Ohio, and half to other families in the Cleveland area," explained Michelle Saafir, co-chair of the Community Service Committee.

On hand to receive the check were Major Richard Gulley, area coordinator of the Northeast Ohio Division of The Salvation Army, and Philip Mason, director of development for the organization. "We at the Salvation Army are delighted to be a recipient of these funds. Throughout Greater Cleveland, the Salvation Army has been a safety net to people in need, but those needs are ever increasing. This gift is truly a godsend," Mason said. According to Mason, the Salvation Army has identified about 300 families who are now settled in the Cleveland area from the Gulf Coast. "We've served many of them and their needs will continue, as well as keeping up with the needs of our community," Mason added.

Each year, proceeds from the Basket Raffle are given to an area organization, and provides an opportunity to foster a greater involvement and relationship of the staff members with the community. "There are families that are now here and we can really welcome them into the community," said Michelle "Shelli" Snyder, co-chair of the SAC Community Service Committee, about the funds helping both Hurricane Katrina and Cleveland families.

The recent Basket Raffle, which took place in November, featured a record number of baskets, which are coordinated by university departments and outside vendors. "The campus really responded. We had 71 baskets, and in less than 24 hours we raised this money. SAC is grateful to the Case Human Resources department for assisting us with this project," said Judith Olson-Fallon, SAC council chairperson.

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